Sport for Life acknowledges its partners following country-wide Summit tour

Earlier this year, Sport for Life embarked on a cross-country, multi-community Summit tour that connected local sport, recreation, education and health champions.

Over the course of three months, Sport for Life collaborated with local organizations in nine communities to host unique events, uniting a variety of partners, presenters, exhibitors and community members to share with and learn from each other. As well, this multi-community event included two primary keynote recordings from Hayley Wickenheiser and Farhan Lalji.

Sport for Life wants to thank Sport Canada for its ongoing support of the Summit, as well as Canadian Heritage for supporting both the 2022 and 2023 Summits. Sport for Life would also like to share our profuse gratitude to everyone who helped make these events possible as we explored the theme of Thriving through Changing Times, including all of the Elders, presenters and panellists who shared their knowledge and perspectives, and helped create connections. 

With Summits taking place in Montreal, Ottawa, St. Catharines, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Prince George, Richmond and Campbell River, we want to acknowledge and thank the following community partners for joining us on this journey and doing the great work of building their programs and bringing people together to envision a better future for the sport and physical activity ecosystem in Canada:

Montreal

• Réseau Accès Participation was the driving force behind the creation of this Summit, taking care of the programming, theme selection and local speaker recruitment.  
• We would like to thank Réseau des URLS, Sport’aide and Champions pour la vie for being members of Montreal’s organizing committee, contributing to meetings, reaching out to keynote speakers, as well as promoting the event and supporting the logistics. 
• Sponsor Regroupement du loisir et sport du Québec (RLSQ) provided a preferred rate on the venue cost.
• Sport Jeunesse, Champions pour la vie, Pour 3 Points and Centre de règlement des différends sportifs du Canada all were exhibitors during the event. 

Ottawa

• We want to thank the RA Centre for collaborating on the direction and structure of the program, for providing the Clark Hall as the venue and offering on-the-ground logistical support, and for facilitating connections with partners both within the House of Sport and around the broader Ottawa region. Kim and Veronica at the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) also assisted in suggesting local speakers.
• The Coaching Association of Canada suggested speakers, and shared their materials for the Safe Sport section. 
• The success of this Summit wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our MSO partners who enhanced the event with their presence and information sharing: SIRC, the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) and True Sport. They each provided an exhibitor booth and shared material and information with delegates, and took part in presentations and discussions throughout. A special thanks to SIRC who also contributed to the building and delivery of the Summit program content, as well as providing remarks throughout. 
• We’re grateful to all of the Sport for Life Advisors who contributed to the program through their guidance, facilitation, moderation, and sharing. 

St. Catharines 

• Ridley College provided organizational and financial support for the event, as well as logistical, marketing and event management expertise, spearheaded by Jay Tredway. 
• Sport Niagara provided the conference space and technical support for the new Canada Games Park facilities. 
• Brock University’s Center for Sport Capacity provided logistical support and photography, and provided an exhibit of their community work. 
• The Coaching Association of Canada facilitated connections with PSO coaching certification managers and allowed for the launch of a successful coaching certification stream. 

Winnipeg

• We would like to thank the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres for sponsoring and hosting the Summit.
• Thank you to knowledge keeper Clayton F. Sandy for opening the meeting.
• We would like to thank the following organizations for their contributions to the program: Sport Manitoba, the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Canadian Tire Charities, Soccer Canada and Active Aging in Manitoba.

Saskatoon

• Physical Literacy Saskatchewan and PHE Saskatchewan were sponsors of this Summit, leading the program development and event delivery. Physical Literacy Saskatchewan is an advocacy organization including the following: Sask Sport, Coaching Association of Saskatchewan, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and PHE Saskatchewan.

Calgary

• The Calgary Summit was hosted by the Centre for Newcomers.
• Organizations and individuals that were crucial to the success of this Summit included Walter MacDonald White Bear, elder Violet March, Catriona Le May Doan, Edward Campbell Studio, Sport Calgary, King of Hearts, the Centre for Newcomers, the Centre for Newcomers’ Real Me program, Mount Royal University, EverActive Schools, the Calgary Foundation, the University of Alberta,  Indigenous Sport Council and Lacrossing Barriers. 
• Connect First Credit Union sponsored this Summit.
• A powerful video about the Calgary event can be viewed here. 

Prince George

• Engage Sport North organized and hosted  this event.
• We would like to thank Canadian Heritage for sponsoring this event, and providing free admission to attendees.
• Many organizations contributed to the success of the Summit, including the University of Northern B.C., I·SPARC, Prince George Tourism, Northern Ice Sports, Scotiabank Prince George, the Multicultural Society, the City of Prince George, the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society, and local track and field, rugby, skiing and swimming organizations. 

Richmond

• The Richmond Olympic Oval led the planning and delivery of the Summit in Richmond. The Oval’s staff established the local themes, arranged the program sessions, organized the speakers and handled the hosting duties. The Oval team delivered a professional event that was well attended by those working in the sport, recreation, health and municipal sector. 
• Key Summit partners and contributors in Richmond included the City of Richmond, I·SPARC, Volleyball BC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Richmond Arenas Community Association, viaSport, Wheelchair Basketball Canada, Wheelchair Rugby Canada, Kajaks Track & Field Club, Paralympian Tara Llanes, and Olympians Evan Dunfee, Christine Nesbitt and Alannah Yip. 
• We would like to thank Canadian Heritage for sponsoring this event, and providing free admission to attendees.

Campbell River

• Thanks to Sarah Wright from PLC Campbell River for hosting.
• We’re grateful to the City of Campbell River for donating field space, staffing and meeting space for the Try-It Days and Physical Literacy for ECE workshop.
• The Immigrant Welcome Centre and School District 72 donated meeting space for the Quality Sport for Clubs and Communities workshop and the use of the gym for our Try-It Days.
• Strathcona Gardens donated the use of a rink for Try-It Days.
• Other partners that took part in workshops and Try-It Days included the Campbell River (CR) Youth Soccer Association, The Immigrant Welcome Centre, CR Athletic Association, CR Skating Club, CR Killer Whales Swim Club, CR Salmon Kings Swim Club, Campbell River Pickleball Association, CR Gymnastics Association, River City Cycle Club, Campbell River Tennis Association, Pacific Sport Vancouver Island and the West Coast Wildflowers.
• We would like to thank our sponsor Canadian Heritage for providing free admission to attendees, as well as sponsors  the Regional District of Campbell River and Strathcona Gardens. 
• Thanks to the CPRA for supporting with a grant.